8year old me...

Chapter 12

Tim summoned Abdullah to his private bar. For an hour they sat across each other with no words being said. Tim then explained to him where Biel was and what she was up to, short-tempered Abdullah was held back by a few men when he tried attacking Tim. Tim explained what he wanted to do, he warned him about what he was about to go through. This was a chance for Abdullah to redeem himself and earn a lot of cash from the mastermind himself.

***

It’s been two weeks since Eric left, Aiden had to collect his brother from juvenile prison. He was put in an awkward situation, he hadn’t visited him since the incident 8 years ago.

His grandmother packed their bags and he drove them over to their old city. The land is bare as always, filled with beer bottles and cans. The houses were tiny and close to each other, salt was being rubbed onto his wound. He dropped his grandmother at his aunt's house before rushing over to his parent's graves.

He rolled his eyes when seeing that they were buried near each other, he sat his flowers on their grave, spoke to them, and told them about his brothers return to society soon. He drove to the prison nearby and after completing the paperwork took the bags of his brother and sat it in the boot of the car. his brother Titus sat at the back across him as he watched his brother drive.

He was no longer the chubby rosy checked kid with a lollipop in his hand. He was taller muscular and looked much more matured than he was, Titus felt relieved at the fact that his brother was doing fine all those years without him.

Not questioning where they were going, he focused on the features that were outside, he saw the sun and even if the land was worse than it was a few years ago, it felt good to be out after such a long time being behind bars. Aiden suddenly stopped stepping out, he opened the door for his brother urging him to follow him. They returned to the graveyard.

Aiden showed his brother where his parents were resting and explained to him what else had happened when he was locked away. With his brother being left alone to reflect on his sins for a moment, they then returned to the car and continued their journey home.

“ we're here,” Aiden said taking his bags in, “ we'll be going home tomorrow…for tonight we stay here.”

He then left after seeing his older brother nod in understanding. With his grandmother in tears, he moved over to the kitchen to cook dinner for everyone. The two shared no words, Aiden could hardly look at him…

“ let’s go for a walk,” Titus said looking towards his brother who was seated with a book at hand.

“ Everythings different isn’t it? The air, the people, the streets even have lights now.”

“ what do you want…” Aiden said looking him in the eye

“ Can’t I try to get to know my little brother all over again?”

Aiden stopped in the middle of their trail turning his back towards his brother. Something he usually did when they were kids, he wiped the tears in his eyes before looking back at his brother with the same look he use to give him whenever their parents would fall out. He was still the kid who sought comfort in him...

His brother walked towards him trying to hug him but pulled his arms back in…realizing that he no longer had the right to be an older brother to the one who stood in front of him venerable.

“ I’m sorry,” Titus said, “ give me another chance.”

“ I forgive you, ” he said before leaving.

The next day they drove home, and even if the tension around was a little less thick than usual, the conversation between the two was kept short. They arrived home and once Aiden helped his brother settle in one of the 4 bedrooms that were used as a storage unit for years he rushed out to meet Arylan.

The matrix result was to be released a week after the new year. He picked her up before heading back home with some groceries, Arylan caught up with his grandmother and got to know Aidens brother a little before helping him set up the braai. Grandmother and Tim arrived later, New year was spent with everyone chatting over a cold glass of coke, and a delicious hot meal under the firelight sky. They laughed and video called Eric before biding the year farewell.

Arylan prayed with grandmother, hoping for a fresh start, with fewer tears.

“ are you excited, ” Aiden asked

“ I’m a little more afraid than excited.”

“ I'm sure we'll do even better this year.”

“agreed. By the way are you okay? You did all the cooking but hardly touched any of the food.”

“ I had a big lunch, ” Aiden said handing her a soda

“ come on Aiden, it's been a year now. I can tell when somethings bothering you.”

“ it’s probably just my brother. He's missed out so much and taken so much away from me. I don’t think I’ll ever bring myself into giving him the privilege of being an elder brother to me.”

“ Sounds like someone doesn’t want to forgive. Aiden, whatever happened….happened. Focus on your time now and make the most of it, he's your only family left in this world, ” Arylan said patting his shoulder before heading home with grandmother.

Trying to give someone their place back without them earning it is like throwing a fishing rod in the river without any bait on it…pointless.

A new year, a new beginning…new challenges, and most certainly more pain and suffering…as well as happiness and temporary pleasure.

University here they come!